President's rule in Gujarat is no remedy: Governor

In sharp contrast to the Election Commission's view on the Gujarat assembly poll, the state Governor Sunder Singh Bhandari on Monday asserted that a 'normal situation prevailed in the state for holding election', and said President's rule 'is not a remedy'.

Bhandari, who met Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani said, "The new assembly has to be constituted by October three, which is the six-month period stipulated for this purpose. We have to now await the verdict of the Supreme Court."

On the imposition of President's rule recommended by the Election Commission, he said, "President's rule is a consequential step. It will depend on political activities going on. So President's rule is not a remedy, it is a stop-gap arrangement,"

On the situation in the state, he said, "Hindus and Muslims are living in the same mohallas where they used to live before. Even then, if Muslims in certain localities feel that the area polling booth is unsafe for them, special arrangements can be made easily for casting their votes."

Saying that life was normal in the state, Bhandari said, "I am in contact with every section of society and I attend their programmes not only in Ahmedabad but also in other places in Gujarat."